Systems and methods for selectively copying embedded data files

Abstract

A backup system is provided that includes a backup application configured to automatically execute upon connection of the backup system to a data source. The backup application is configured to selectively back up data from the data source to itself or to networked storage, for example. As part of selectively backing up data, the backup application is further configured to selectively extract embedded data files, such as attachments, from internal files of e-mail programs. Between backups, the backup application can selectively extract newly received embedded data files to a folder. During a subsequent backup, the contents of the folder can be copied from the data source.

1. A backup system comprising:
 a communication interface; 
 a first storage device including a writable data storage medium comprising first and second logical storage areas, the first logical storage area including computer-readable instructions of a backup application configured to selectively extract an embedded data file from an internal file associated with an e-mail program on a data source by using an application programming interface, wherein the backup application is further configured to login to the e-mail program in a silent mode using the application programming interface; and 
 an emulation component in communication between the first storage device and the communication interface and comprising:
 logic configured to represent the first logical storage area as an auto-launch device; and 
 logic configured to represent the second logical storage area as a second storage device including a writable data storage medium. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the e-mail program comprises an e-mail server. 
     
     
       3. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the e-mail program comprises an e-mail client. 
     
     
       4. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the e-mail program comprises a web-based e-mail service. 
     
     
       5. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the backup application is further configured to copy the embedded data file to the second logical storage area. 
     
     
       6. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the backup application is further configured to selectively extract the embedded data file to a folder on the data source. 
     
     
       7. The backup system of  claim 6  wherein the backup application is further configured to copy the contents of the folder to the second logical storage area. 
     
     
       8. The backup system of  claim 1  wherein the first storage device comprises a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 automatically launching a backup application to run on a data source by connecting a data backup system to the data source, the backup system comprising a storage device including computer-readable instructions of the backup application; and 
 performing a first backup of data files from the data source, including selectively extracting, according to a criterion, embedded data files from an internal file associated with an e-mail program, wherein selectively extracting embedded data files includes using an application programming interface of the e-mail program, wherein selectively extracting embedded data files further includes logging into the e-mail program in a silent mode using the application programming interface. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the internal file comprises a .ost or .pst file. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the criterion comprises a type of content. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9  wherein performing the first backup further includes copying extracted data files to a networked storage. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  wherein performing the first backup further includes copying extracted data files to the backup device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  further comprising extracting an additional embedded data file to a folder on the data source after performing the first backup. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein extracting the additional embedded data file comprises detecting a new e-mail. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein extracting the additional embedded data file comprises selectively extracting, according to the criterion, the additional embedded data file from the internal file. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein selectively extracting the additional embedded data file from the internal file is performed in response to a triggering event. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  further comprising performing a second backup of data files from the data source, including backing up the contents of the folder. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein performing the second backup comprises copying the contents of the folder to a networked storage. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein performing the second backup comprises copying the contents of the folder to the backup device. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  further comprising deleting the contents of the folder after backing up the contents of the folder. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 9  further comprising receiving user input comprising a user name and password for the e-mail program. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 9  further comprising extracting a user name and password from a program that is related to the e-mail program.